McCrory besting Dalton in NC governor fundraising

(AP) - High-profile North Carolina Republicans running for office next week are holding a marked financial advantage over their Democratic rivals, led by gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory.

McCrory's campaign said Tuesday it had raised $5 million during the past 3½ months, which is more than the nearly $3.9 million Democratic nominee Walter Dalton's campaign has raised in the past 3½ years. Campaign finance reports showed Dalton's committee raised more than $1.4 million since July 1. Monday was a filing deadline.

House Speaker Thom Tillis and Senate leader Phil Berger each have given more than $1 million to the Republican Party to help win legislative races. Democratic legislative leaders are well behind.

An outside group supporting Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby for re-election now reports it has spent $1.6 million on television ads.